Christian Living
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father." John 14:12
Let us examine this verse more closely and see why it does not mean what the Charismatic movement teaches.
Today there are many professing Christians who attend churches that claim to perform miraculous works by the power of the Holy Spirit but is this really so? We watch many of the TV preachers and evangelists supposedly cast out devils, and we see people falling over backwards (called slain in the spirit) and others who think they are speaking in tongues. Without a doubt these activities are either psychological in nature or they are Satanic but we know they are not of God based on the fruit of what proceeds from these religious leaders and from what the Bible teaches.
Yes, the true believer who has the Holy Spirit namely the apostles and those following, did do greater works than Jesus.
How so?
As an example we know that Christ had healed with the hem of his garment, but Peter healed only with his shadow (Acts 5:15), Paul by the handkerchief that had touched him, Acts 19:12 Christ wrought miracles for two or three years in one country, but his followers wrought miracles in his name for many ages in divers countries.
Perhaps the greatest sign or work was the gift of tongues that came after the Spirit was poured out and many were saved as a result of unbelievers hearing the gospel in their own language. However, these signs ceased shortly after the apostles died in the first century. If you disagree then ask yourself, do you know anyone today who is able to multiply the loaves and the fish as Jesus did?
No.
Do you know anyone who is able to raise the dead as Jesus did? No.
Do you know anyone who can instantaneously heal a leper?
Again the answer is no.
The great work that Christ came to do was not miracles of physical healing but His work of redemption by dying on the cross for our sins. The religious but carnal mind today wants to base his religion on an experience and they want others to think it has the endorsement of God's Holy Spirit power behind it kind of like a seal or stamp of approval or like the Good HouseKeeping Seal of Approval.
Those churches or preachers which feature such works often called "signs and wonders" are following a course that is not according to godliness. In 2 Cor. 11:13-15 we read:
"For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works."
The works of many of these false teachers, apostles and evangelists include sexual immorality, covetousness, greed, lying, and other forms of unrighteousness and hypocrisy.
True believers of Jesus Christ desire to preach the gospel and be a witness as ambassadors of Christ. They know that the real work that God is interested in performing is the miracle of salvation.
True believers can not do this work (because they can't atone for anybody sins seeing that they themselves are sinners in need of atonement) but they do the work of preaching the gospel as per the Great Commission "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen." (Matthew 28:18-20)
When Jesus who was the greatest preacher and evangelist who ever lived, walked on this earth there were only about 120
in Jerusalem and around 500 in Judea who were saved and this was after three and a half years of Jesus preaching.
When Peter preached a sermon on Pentecost 3000 are saved in one day. Peter was doing greater works than Christ because Christ had ascended to the Father and the Holy Spirit was poured out as promised. This preaching of the gospel which brought many souls into God's kingdom was the greatest work that could be done. That is the miracle we are to look for today, i.e. seeing dead souls raised to eternal life by regeneration. All the so called Charismatic gifts today are really counterfeit miracles designed to silence the true gospel which is the "power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes..." (Romans 1:16)
Satan can counterfeit almost anything the Lord does. That's why we read in Matthew 24:24 "For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect."
But you ask "where are the signs demonstrating the power of the Holy Spirit?"
Jesus said, "A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed." Matthew 16:4
Carlton Pruitt ministers the gospel to the Los Angeles area. Formerly a Hollywood actor (SAG member)and junk removal expert he now spends most of his time studying the scriptures, writing articles, hymns and poems and doing street preaching.
See all his videos on http://www.youtube.com Type LAStreetPreacher in the search bar. CONTACT at Carlton2061@gmail
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